Absconding

 

Introduction

Absconding is the process in which a honeybee colony completely abandons a hive as a result of problems. Absconding can result from unfavourable conditions, especially during the dry season or dearth period and in hot and rainy weather. Absconding usually takes place during the day between 10 am and 3 pm. Two types of absconding can occur: planned and emergency

Symptoms of Absconding

• Workers create a non-laying environment for the queen 15 days before absconding.
• The number of eggs, larvae, and pupae in the colony is reduced.
• Stores of nectar and pollen are depleted.
• Fewer bee flights (incoming and outgoing) are seen at the entrance.
• Many workers fly around the hive making piping sounds. Bees take off fast and fly higher.
• After planned absconding, combs are left empty. Some brood and honey may be left after emergency absconding.

 

Causes

• Lack of food during the dearth period due to harvesting all the honey at the end of the honey flow season.
• Endemic disease and attack by pests.
• Too high a dose of medicine given to a diseased colony.
• Inadequate and inappropriate seasonal management of the colony.
• Transfer of a colony from a traditional to an improved hive at an unfavourable time of year.
• Poor transfer of a colony from a traditional to an improved hive as a result of having inadequate technical skills.
• Use of a sub-standard improved hive and technology.
• Disturbance to bees as a result of poor methods of colony inspection.
• In the case of Apis cerana, robbing as a result of insufficient space between hives.
• Lack of an appropriate and safe site and obstacles in the path of bees flying to and from the entrance.
• Genetic trait.

 

Differentiating Absconding from Swarming

Swarming and absconding are similar in the followig ways.

• Worker bees crop the honey and exit from the hive at a specific time.
• The worker bees fly away after the queen bee exits.

 

 

Control and Management of Absconding

• Leave some honey when harvesting at the end of the honey flow period.
• Feed with sugar syrup continuously for 3 days if the brood combs don't have any food stores.
• Ensure timely investigation and treatment of diseases.
• Protect colonies from pests.
• Do not disturb the colonies with over frequent colony inspection.
• Undertake seasonal management practices to protect bee colonies from cold, hot, and moist conditions.
• Place additional brood combs from a strong colony into a weak colony and protect the colony against robbing.
• Place beehives at an appropriate site that protects them from heat, cold, and other disturbances such as smoke, vehicle noise, and animal transit.
• Requeen the colony every year.
• Provide additional brood combs from a strong colony to a colony suspected of planning to abscond during hive inspection.
• Make the bee entrance small using a queen gate.
• Try to settle the colony nearby through dusting or sprinkling water.
• Hive an absconded colony into a new hive after capture and placing the hive in a separate place to try and prevent further absconding.
• Have a skilled technician transfer a colony from a traditional to an improved hive during a favourable season and using appropriate technology.
• A colony in an apiary showing signs of absconding should be transferred to another hive and placed separately in a different place, otherwise other colonies may also develop an absconding impulse.